The Third Sector Values Statement was endorsed by NAVCA members
at their AGM in Keele on 12 September 2007.
The Third Sector Network
The Third Sector Network was established one year ago by NCVO and
brings together different parts of the third sector including the
voluntary and community sector, cooperatives, mutuals, faiths,
housing and social enterprises. NAVCA has taken part in meetings
which are chaired by Alun Michael MP.
Values statement
Third Sector Network
The Third Sector
Network brings together umbrella organisations and professional
bodies representing the different parts of the sector - voluntary
and community organisations, trade unions, housing associations,
social enterprise, co-operatives and mutuals - to develop a shared
agenda on issues of concern to the sector as a whole.
This is the first time that this range of
organisations has come together in this way. The network offers a
unique opportunity to raise the profile of the third sector, and
the different types of organisation within it, as well as to
promote our common interests.
Third sector values and
principles
The third sector encompasses
a wide range of organisations, undertaking different types of
activity, but sharing a common desire to make a positive difference
to society. Characteristic of the sector is a commitment to the
following values and principles:
- Independence: embodying people's right to associate and
organise to help themselves and others, independently of the
state.
- Social justice: making a difference and promoting lasting
social, environmental and economic change, for example through:
different ways of doing business; campaigning; giving people a
voice in the community and in the workplace; and through valuing
volunteers and the paid workforce by striving towards best practice
terms and conditions, good HR and training and development.
- Diversity, dignity and respect: recognising and celebrating
diversity and viewing this as a strength, both in relation to
society and to the sector; promoting social inclusion and equality
of opportunity by reaching out to, and engaging with, the most
disadvantaged and excluded communities.
- Participation and empowerment: enabling people to participate
in their community and places of work; give their time and money to
causes they care about; have a greater say in the decisions that
affect their lives, collectively and individually; and greater
control over their local economy.
- Collective wealth creation and social entrepreneurship: using
surpluses to further social objectives; investing in human and
social capital.
- Responsiveness: providing quality goods and services (including
support and advocacy) in response to people's needs.
- Accountability: achieving our mission; being transparent and
accountable to our users, members and/or beneficiaries.
- Sustainability: working towards sustainable economic and
community development, for example through economic regeneration;
developing people's skills and capacities; and building social
capital within and between communities.
It is these principles and values that drive the work of third
sector organisations, not government and not shareholder value or
personal profit. Therefore whilst other sectors may share these
values, they are not the driving force that they are for the third
sector.
The
Values Statement is also available as a word document.
Members of the Third Sector
Network
- Stuart Etherington, NCVO
- Pauline Green, Co-Operatives UK
- Peter Hunt, Mutuo
- Jane Greenoak, National Housing Federation
- Jonathan Bland, Social Enterprise Coalition
- Brendan Barber, Trades Union Congress
- Stephen Bubb, acevo
- Jeremy Crook, Black Training and Enterprise
Group
- Lindsay Boswell, Institute of Fundraising
- Kevin Curley, NAVCA
- Christopher Spence, Volunteering England
- Alun Michael MP, Chair of Third Sector
Network
For more information about the Third Sector Network please
contact Belinda Pratten at
Belinda.pratten@ncvo-vol.org.uk
or telephone 020 7520
2558.